Intermediate Snowshoe – Ouzel Falls

We'll hike a lollipop route. Our hike will begin at the Wild Basin Winter Parking Lot in RMNP, following the Wild Basin Road to the Wild Basin Trailhead. On the trail we'll pass Copeland Falls and Calypso Cascades on our way to Ouzel Falls. We'll find a sunny spot near Ouzel Falls to stop for lunch/snack. About 200 yards beyond Ouzel Falls is an overlook with a wonderful view of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker. From the overlook we'll continue along the Wild Basin Trail to the junction with the Thunder Lake Trail (aka North Saint Vrain Campsite Trail). We'll follow this trail, along the North Saint Vrain Creek until we meet the Wild Basin Trail and return to the trailhead and winter parking lot. Overall this hike is ~8 miles and ~1200 ft elevation gain. Our pace will be consistent with completing this trip in a reasonable amount of time. Depending on the trail conditions will either snowshoe or hike using microspikes (please bring both and be prepared to carry your snowshoes on your backpack, we'll make the final decision at the trailhead). (Ouzel Falls - Snowshoe - CalTopo)

Carpool Place & Time: Meet at the Lyons Visitor Center at 7:30am, for no later than 7:45am departure (Lyons Visitor Center - Google Maps)

We'll then carpool to RMNP Wild Basin Winter Parking lot (vehicle entrance fee) (Wild Basin Trailhead - Google Maps)

Additional carpool meeting place could include location further south.